tfMserd  to  Children 


NEW  YORK. 

ft/BLlS4£D  BY  SAMUEL  WOOD  &  SOFS 
N~  ^61  P<  irl-strset. 


UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

■— — — —**. 

School   o  i    Libtitf 
Science 


>■ 


PRESENT 


©iiiiiBii» 


BY    THE    AUTHOR    OF 


DITTIES  FOR  CHILDREN,  GOOD  GIRL'S  SOLILOQUY 
POETIC  TALES,  &c.  &c. 


NEW  YORK : 

PUBLISHED  BY  SAMUEL  WOOD  fy  SOWS, 
26!  PEARL-STREET 


^ 


PRESENT  TO  CHILDREN 


WINTER, 


t 
Of 


Come,  my  darling  little  girls, 
Brush  the  slumbers  from  your  eyes, 
For  the  day  begins  to  dawn 
Sweetly  in  the  eastern  skies. 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN. 

Plentiful  has  been  your  sleep, 
For  the  winter  nights  are  long  ; 
And  not  a  single  bird  will  come, 
To  wake  you  with  his  merry  song. 

Early  rising  gives  a  space 
For  the  duties  of  the  day, 
All  your  lessons,  all  your  work, 
And  a  leisure  hour  for  play. 

Short  and  fleeting  as  it  is, 
if  you  will  but  seize  its  prime, 
And  improve  its  passing  hours, 
You  will  then  "  redeem  the  time.'1 

Faded  are  the  garden  flowers  ; 
Fruit  is  gone,  and  trees  are  bare — 
Grassy  banks  are  hid  in  snow — 
Piercing  is  the  frosty  air. 

Should  you  now  attempt  to  walk 
O'er  the  hills,  or  through  the  mead, 
Your  fingers  would  be  numb  with  cold ; 
Your  teeth  would  chatter  in  your  head. 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN. 

Many  a  lender  mother  now, 
While  her  helpless  infant  brood 
Hover  round  a  scanty  fire, 
Weeps  to  hear  them  cry  for  food, 

Many  a  little  hungry  child, 
Thinly  clad,  and  sadly  poor, 
Shivering  leaves  her  wretched  home* 
To  beg  a  crust  from  door  to  door. 

You,  my  babes,  are  not  exposed, 
To  the  rigours  of  the  year — 
For  you  a  pleasant  breakfast  waits — 
A  cheerful  fire  is  blazing  clear. 

Children,  fall  upon  yom  knees, 
Lift  your  thankful  hearts  to  heaven  ; 
Bless  that  God  whose  wond'rous  love 
Has  to  you  such  blessings  given. 

Yet  remember  you  are  charged 
Never  to  forget  the  poor ; 
But  with  care  to  search  them  out, 
And  with  them  divide  your  store, 


A   PRESENT   TO  CHILDREN, 

Let  us  then  employ  this  day 
In  the  works  of  charity ; 
Let  us  little  garments  make, 
To  clothe  the  limhs  of  infancy. 

Some  superfluous  attire, 
Let  us  willingly  forego ; 
To  supply  the  wants  of  age ; 
To  relieve  the  house  of  wo. 

Kindly  offices  of  love, 
Make  the  shining  day  more  bright ; 
And  a  conscience  whispering  peace? 
Lays  the  pillow  soft  at  night. 


A   PRESENT   TO   CHILDREN 


TO  ADELINE,  ON  HER  BIRTH  DAY 

Another  smiling  fifth  of  March, 
Reminds  us  of  thy  natal  day — 
Reminds  us  too  that  thirteen  years 
Hav«  from  thy  life  heen  lopp'd  away. 


10  A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN. 

Thirteen  winters  hast  thou  lived, 
Shelter'd  safe  from  every  storm  ; 
Thirteen  springs  have  lent  their  breath 
To  expand  thy  little  form. 

Thirteen  summers  have  unveiled 
Nature's  beauties  to  thine  eye — 
Thirteen  autumns  brought  their  fruit, 
Ripened  in  their  mellow  sky. 

In  the  length  of  thirteen  years, 
Never  once  has  failed  thy  food ; 
But  a  Father's  hand  has  still 
Been  extended  for  thy  good. 

Time  would  fail,  should  I  attempt. 

To  recount  thy  mercies  o'er ; 
They  are  numerous  as  the  sands 

That  enwrap  the  ocean  shore. 

Deep  thy  obligations  are — 
What  hast  thou  return'd,  my  child  1 
Has  obedience  marked  thy  life, 
Has  thy  heart  with  love  been  rilled  ? 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN.  11 

Or  hast  thou  forgotten  Him 
Who  has  kindly  thought  on  thee  ; 
And  the  time  for  duty  given, 
Spent  too  much  in  vanity  ? 

Then  resolve  this  day,  my  love, 
All  thine  errors  to  amend — 
Look  with  humble  face  to  Him 
Who  is  thy  forgiving  friend : 

Choose  him  for  thine  only  guide 
Through  the  winding  paths  of  life — 
Choose  him  for  thine  only  guard 
In  this  world  of  care  and  strife : 

Choose  whatever  he  directs — 
Choose  the  precepts  he  has  given — 
Choose  him  for  thy  king  on  earth, 
And  he  will  be  thy  God  in  Heaven, 


12 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN. 


TOMMY  TRUE, 


Harry,  come  here,  my  darling  child,. 
Come  sit  by  me,  and  hear  me  tell 
Of  little  Tommy  True,  the  boy 
Whom  vvsey  body  loves  10  wdJL 


A   PRESENT   TO  CHILDREN.  13 

Before  the  morning  sun  appears, 
Young  Tommy  is  in  haste  to  rise* 
And  never  fails  to  lift  his  thoughts 
To  Him  who  reigns  above  the  skies. 

Then,  full  of  gratitude  and  love, 
With  prostrate  heart  he  humbly  bends, 
To  seek  and  bless,  to  thank  and  praise 
His  greatest,  dearest,  best  of  friends. 

And  to  this  one  Almighty  friend, 
Joyful  he  gives  himself  away, 
And  begs  him  to  protect  his  child 
Through  all  the  dangers  of  the  day. 

And  when  he  comes  amongst  his  friends. 
With  love  and  meekness  meets  them  all j 
And  not  one  cross  or  snappish  word 
Is  suffered  from  his  lips  to  fall. 

And  when  his  breakfast  is  prepared, 
Whatever  it  may  chance  to  be, 
He  never  thinks  of  finding  fault, 
But  smiles,  and  eats  it  thankfully, 


14  A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN. 

Then  straight  he  takes  his  little  hat; 
And  off  to  school  he  jogs  away, 
And  let  him  meet  with  whom  he  will, 
He  seldom  stops  to  chat  or  play. 

"  This  is  my  time  to  learn,"  says  he, 
"  I  never  shall  be  young  but  once  , 
11  And  if  I  throw  this  time  away, 
11  I  must  grow  up  a  silly  dunce/' 

School  orders  he  obeys  with  care  ; 
He  keeps  his  books  and  copies  neat ; 
And  be  his  lessons  e'er  so  hard, 
He  minds  to  get  them  all  complete. 

And  when  the  hours  of  school  are  o'er, 

And  he  has  leave  to  go  and  play, 
He  lays  his  satchel  up  at  home, 

And  cheerily  he  springs  away. 

But  if  he  hears  a  wicked  word, 

He  will  not  stay  a  minute  there, 

"  I'll  keep  at  home  alone,"  says  he, 

"  Before  I'll  play  with  boys  who  swear."' 


A    PRESENT    TO   CHILDREN.  1£ 

If  either  of  his  parents  speak, 
He  hastes  that  moment  to  obey ; 
And  never  gives  them  cause  to  chide 
His  inattention  or  delay. 

And  let  him  speak  of  what  he  will, 
All  that  he  says,  you  may  believe, 
For  he  is  never  known  to  lie, 
Or  cheat,  or  flatter,  or  deceive. 

But  such  a  mild  and  gentle  boy, 
So  meek,  so  pitiful,  and  kind, 
So  good  and  generous  to  all, 
And  humble  too,  you  seldom  find. 

And  now  if  you  could  see  my  heart, 
You'd  read  this  tender  wish  for  you — 
Oh  may  my  dearest  Harry  be 
Just  such  a  boy  as  Tommy  True. 


w 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN. 


NIGHT. 


Look  up,  my  dear  sister,  and  see  the  fair  Mood* 
How  it  shines  through  the  window  so  bright! 

And  the  light  fleecy  clouds  scattered  over  the  sky. 
Adorning  the  face  of  the  night ! 


A   PRESENT   TO   CHILDREN.  17 

The  sheep  and  the  lambs  have  lain  down  in  the  fold, 
HpKThe  birds  are  asleep  in  the  nest ; 
And  the  cattle  which  lowed  till  they  made  the  vales  ring, 
Are  quietly  taking  their  rest. 

Our  Father  has  hushed  every  clamorous  sound, 

While  his  children  enjoy  their  repose, 
And  the  moon  walks  in  silence,  while  over  the  earth 

Her  beautiful  mantle  she  throws. 

My  sister,  let  us  from  the  stillness  of  night, 
Learn  the  heart-soothing  lesson  of  peace— 

And  earnestly  pray  that  all  anger  and  strife 
Henceforth  from  our  bosoms  may  cease. 

Let  us  cherish  the  feelings  of  kindness  and  love* 

For  this  is  the  spirit  of  Heaven ; 
And  freely  forgive  all  offences  that  rise, 

As  we  wish  our  own  failings  forgiven. 

Now  let  us  implore  the  protection  of  God, 

To  guard  us  from  every  ill; 
And  the  bodies  and  souls  he  has  graciously  give% 

Resign  to  his  merciful  will. 


18  A   PRESENT   TO   CHILDREN. 


THE  CHILD'S  MEDITATION. 

How  bright  are  the  beams  of  the  heart  cheering  sun, 
As  he  daily  pursues  his  glad  journey  above, — 
But  brighter,  far  brighter,  the  life  of  a  child 
Who  employs  every  hour  in  the  duties  of  love. 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN.  19 


How  sweet  is  the  breath  of  a  morning  in  May, 
When  the  flowers  are  so  fresh,  and  the  air  is  so  mild ; 
But  sweeter,  far  sweeter,  the  gentle  soft  words 
That  flow  from  the  lips  of  a  kind  hearted  child. 

When  the  motherly  hen  calls  her  feathery  brood, 
:Tis  pleasant  to  see  how  they  hasten  away  ; 
More  pleasant  it  is  to  behold  a  dear  child, 
When  its  parents  command,  in  a  moment  obey. 

What  a  beautiful  sight  is  a  garden  of  plants 

That,  arranged  in  fine  order,  all  flourish  and  thrive— = 

More  beautiful  still  is  a  family  group 

Where  brothers  and  sisters  in  harmony  live. 

Thou,  best  of  all  Beings,  who  madest  the  world— 
Every  creature  that  lives — every  object  I  see — 
Oh,  grant  in  thy  mercy,  that  all  I  behold, 
May  instruct  me  each  day  in  my  duty  to  thee. 

Still  let  me  remember  the  time  must  arrive, 
When  this  earth  shall  dissolve,  and  that  sun  fade  away, 
But  the  child  who  loves  Thee,  shall  in  triumph  arise, 
To  a  world  of  delight  which  can  never  decay. 


20  A   PRESENT   TO   CHILDREN. 


DIALOGUE 
BETWEEN  AGNES  AND  HER  MOTHER . 

AGNES. 

Mamma,  I  often  have  been  told, 

That  when  at  night  I  pray, 
I  should  with  grateful  heart  recount 

The  blessings  of  the  day. 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN.  21 

And  so  this  evening  I  have  tried 

To  look  my  blessings  o'er  ; 
Yet  I  can  think  of  nothing,  Ma, 

But  what  I  had  before. 

t  have  a  home,  and  friends,  and  health, 

And  food,  and  clothing  too  ; 
But  these  are  things  I  always  had, 

And  so  have  others  too. 

MAMMA. 

The  God  who  gives  you  friends,  and  home, 

And  health,  and  clothes,  and  food, 
Guards  you  from  every  ill,  because 

He  loves  to  do  you  good. 

He  looks  on  all  your  various  wants, 

With  a  kind  parent's  eye  ; 
And  should  his  care  one  moment  cease, 

Your  comforts  all  would  die. 

This  morning  while  you  sweetly  slept, 
I  wag  called  out  in  haste, 


22  A   PRESENT    TO   CHILDREN. 

To  neighbour  Smith's,  whose  little  girl 
That  hour  had  breathed  her  last. 

Yesterday  morning  when  she  arose, 

She  was  as  well  as  you  ; 
But  e'er  another  sun  appeared, 

She  bade  the  world  adieu. 

Another  child,  about  your  age, 
Lay  groaning  with  distress ; 

A  burning  fever  racked  her  frame* 
And  scorch'd  her  tender  face. 

Nothing  that  we  could  do  or  say 
Had  the  least  power  to  please, 

She  turned  with  loathing  from  her  food, 
And  only  prayed  for  ease. 

When  I  came  home,  a  little  boy 
Stood  waiting  at  the  door, 

And  begged  I  would  bestow  a  mite 
Upon  the  wretched  poor. 

Half  covered  were  his  shivering  limbsf 
His  meagre  face  was  blue, 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN.  23 

And  he  had  travelled  through  the  snow, 
Without  a  sock  or  shoe. 

I  furnish'd  him  with  decent  clothes, 

Bought  him  some  bread  and  meat, 
And  bade  him  sit  beside  the  fire, 

And  warm  himself  and  eat. 

"Poor  hungry  child!  the  simple  meal 

He  ate  without  delay ; 
Then  begged  me  for  a  crust,  on  which 

To  feed  another  day. 

f  Madam,"  said  he,  "I  have  no  friends 

"  To  give  me  bread  or  meat ; 
"  And  when  I'm  fainting  for  a  crumb, 

"  This  crust  will  taste  so  sweet ! 

I  have  no  home — I  seek  for  work, 
"  And  do  it  cheerfully — 
•*  And  when  I  cannot  be  employed, 
"  I  ask  for  charity." 

Agnes,  what  think  you  now  ?  are  health, 
And  friends,  and  home,  and  food, 


24  A  PRESENT   TO   CHILDREN. 

Blessings  enough  to  warm  your  heart 
With  love  and  gratitude  ? 

Blessings  not  given  once  or  twice, 

And  taken  then  away ; 
But  granted  when  your  life  began. 

Continued — every  day. 

AGNES. 

1  blush  with  shame  to  think  my  heart 

Has  been  so  cold  and  dead, 
When  heaven  has  showered  such  mercies  dowB 

Upon  my  worthless  head. 

Oh,  may  I  never,  never  lose, 

The  memory  all  my  days ; 
May  every  act  be  duteous  love, 

And  every  feeling,  praise. 


h  PRESENT   TO   CHILDREN. 


25 


SPRING. 


The  dark  cloudy  winter  is  o'er, 
Its  fears  and  its  dangers  are  past, 
The  frost  has  let  go  its  cold  gripe, 
And  hush'd  is  the  sound  of  the  blast, 


26  A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN. 

The  snows  are  all  melted  away, 
And  the  river  runs  sparkling  along; 
The  trees  are  just  ready  to  bud, 
And  the  birds  are  beginning  their  song. 

The  clouds  are  dissolving  in  rain, 
(While  the  soft  mellow  breezes  come  on,) 
As  if  they  were  weeping  for  joy 
That  the  hard  gloomy  season  is  gone. 

Weep  on,  gentle  clouds,  if  you  will, 
And  fall  on  the  meadows  in  showers  ; 
Your  tears  will  be  richly  repaid, 
By  the  green-springing  grass,  and  the  flower? 

The  sun,  that  with  aspect  so  pale, 
Hasted  over  the  slope  of  the  sky, 
Now  glowing  with  splendor  again-, 
Has  begun  his  bright  circuit  on  higrj, 

How  sweet  is  the  face  of  the  world  I 
The  hum  of  delight  is  awake — 
And  all  orders  of  being  that  live, 
Of  the  wide-spreading  gladness  partake. 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN.  27 

But  let  me  consider  awhile — 
If  to  see  a  cold  winter  depart, 
And  the  beauties  of  nature  revive, 
Such  pleasure  affords  to  the  heart — 

What  must  be  the  joy  of  a  soul 
Escaped  from  a  region  like  this, 
From  danger  for  ever  set  free, 
And  entering  the  portals  of  bliss! 

When  the  dark  howling  tempest  of  earth. 
Its  fears  and  its  trials  are  o'er; 
When  grief,  disappointment,  and  pain, 
And  sickness,  and  death  are  no  more ; 

When  the  beauty  and  glory  of  God, 
Will  illumine  the  heavenly  plain, 
And  the  light  of  the  sun  and  the  moon, 
Will  never  be  needed  again ; 

For  whom  are  those  mansions  prepared  % 
To  whom  is  this  blessedness  given? 
They,  they  who  love  Jesus  on  earth, 
Shall  forever  dwell  with  him  in  heaven. 


28 


A    PRESENT    TO   CHILDREN. 


LINES 

SUPPOSED  TO  BE  ADDRESSED  BY  THE  CHILDREN  OF  A  SAB? 
BATH  SCHOOL,  TO  THEIR  INSTRUCTOR,  AND  A  CHARITABLE 
SOCIETY  CONNECTED  WITH  THEM. 

Dear  ladies,  let  a  simple  lay 
Your  kind  attention  gain, 
Suspend  awhile  your  works  of  love, 
And  list  our  thankful  strain. 


A    PRESENT    TO   CHILDREN.  2$ 

In  poverty's  obscure  abode, 

Our  humble  lot  was  cast ; 

Whose  bleak  walls  scarce  a  shelter  gave 

From  winter's  stormy  blast. 

And  when  in  tatter'd  garbs  we  roam'd, 
A  scanty  meal  to  crave, 
In  vain  we  strove  from  pinching  cold 
Our  half  clad  limbs  to  save. 

Yet  these  were  not  the  only  ills 
By  indigence  assign'd; 
The  body  suffered  much,  but  more, 
Far  more  the  immortal  mind. 

For  how  could  lowly  helpless  ones* 
Divine  instruction  gain, 
When  penury  denied  the  means 
Instruction  to  obtain  ? 

Extensive  are  the  benefits 

Your  generous  care  imparts, 

And  while  your  labours  clothe  our  limbs, 

Your  kindness  warms  our  hearts, 


30  A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN, 

But  lo !  the  gloomy  clouds  disperse, 
A  beauteous  form  appears, 
She  bids  us  raise  our  drooping  heads, 
And  wipe  away  our  tears. 

'Tis  charity  herself,  enshrined 
In  a  sweet  female  band ! 
,     She  comes  with  all  her  choicest  stores; 
To  shower  them  o'er  the  land. 

Surprised  we  see  our  little  forms 
In  decent  robes  arrayed — 
Amazed  we  hear  the  glorious  truths 
Of  gospel  grace  displayed. 

Raised  from  the  dust  we  view  the  prize 
To  faith  and  virtue  given : 
When  to  lone  outcasts  from  the  earth 
Is  showed  a  home  in  Heaven. 

Ye  gentle  beings,  who  have  made 
The  wretched  poor  your  care — 
Who  wide  have  stretch'd  the  willing  hand 
To  snatch  us  from  despair  ; 


A    PRESENT    TO    CHILDREN.  31 

May  He  who  only  can,  reward 
These  efforts  of  your  love, 
With  every  precious  gift  on  earth. 
And  endless  joys  above. 


MMS 


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